Rezko Trial Bombshell Claim: GOP Top Guns Tried to Oust US Attorney
Republican heavyweights allegedly tried to use their influence with the White House to get U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald removed from office as he was pursuing a politically charged case against a Chicago real estate developer, according to a prosecutor in the ongoing Illinois federal case.
“In a bombshell disclosure before testimony began this morning in the Antoin ‘Tony’ Rezko trial, a federal prosecutor said a former Rezko confidant was prepared to say that another friend of Rezko was attempting to pull strings with White House political director Karl Rove to fire U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald and kill his investigation into Rezko,” reports the Chicago Tribune. The prosecutor was assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Hamilton, who was apparently describing to the judge witness testimony she would like to offer at trial.
Hamilton also told U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve before the jury was brought into the courtroom today “that Republican National Committeeman Robert Kjellander allegedly was working with Rove ‘to have Fitzgerald removed,’ ” the Tribune article continues.
Rove, who is now a private consultant, denies all of these allegations, through his lawyer, the newspaper reports.
Earlier related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Former AG Says DOJ Politicized Prosecution”
ABAJournal.com: “Convicted Governor Blames Karl Rove for Recommended 30-Year Prison Term”
National Public Radio: “Rezko Corruption Trial Gets Under Way”
ABAJournal.com: “Lawyer Testifies at Rezko Trial on His Life in the Fast Lane”
